by Mel Sherratt
‘I’m not! I love you, Ruby. You’re my everything.’
He pulled her into his arms and she let him. Exhausted by the emotions of the night, she sobbed until there was no more left to give. Seeing Luke so upset added more guilt to her load. How could she let him think he was the one at fault?
‘I’m sorry for snapping,’ she said when she eventually spoke. ‘I’m just worried, that’s all.’
‘We need to stick together,’ he told her. ‘It’s just you and me against the world. We can get through this, and if you want we can move somewhere else. Get a house perhaps, with a garden for the kids to play in.’
‘I’d like that.’ Ruby smiled through her tears, noting the fact he hadn’t said anything further about Seth. ‘You promise me you haven’t been borrowing money from anyone?’
He wouldn’t look at her, which made her suspicions that he was lying even more palpable. But he replied eventually.
‘I promise,’ he said.
She wanted to believe him but found that she couldn’t.
2010
Ruby looked towards Naomi’s house for a moment. The music was soothing where she and Finn were sitting at the back of the garden. She could hear laughter from time to time. The weather was warm, a breeze across her shoulders making her shiver slightly.
‘Do you want to go back inside?’ Finn asked.
‘No.’
They smiled at each other.
‘What are your plans after sixth form?’
‘I’m not sure what I want to do yet, if I’m honest. I keep changing my mind – maybe physiotherapy.’
‘There’s a lot of pressure at your age to think of what do for the rest of your life. You take your time.’
Shadows were falling now as the night grew darker, making Finn all the more mysterious. She glanced at him surreptitiously, wondering why he was sitting with her when he could be with any number of the girls back in the house.
‘What do you do?’ she wanted to know.
‘Security at a nightclub. I look after the bouncers on the doors. I’m one too.’ He pointed towards the house. ‘It’s very impressive, isn’t it?’
She nodded. ‘I’d like to be loaded like Naomi’s mum and dad one day.’
‘Me too,’ Finn agreed. ‘But we all have to start somewhere.’
Ruby kicked herself inwardly. She was trying to impress him and coming out with some terrible drivel. She was making him feel inadequate. There was no point in putting on a show and being false from the beginning.
Finn seemed to sense her awkwardness.
‘I know this sounds cheesy, but I’ve not long ago picked up a new car. Do you fancy going for a drive?’
Ruby glanced at her watch. It was already quarter to ten. She shook her head, cursing inwardly.
‘My dad is picking me up at eleven.’
‘Ah.’ He placed his hand over hers for a moment. ‘How about we go out for a drive for ten minutes and then come back? That way you’ll have plenty of time?’
She gnawed at her bottom lip.
‘I promise I won’t bite.’ He held up his hands. ‘Trust me, I’ve known Naomi’s brothers since I was a child. I was bullied in junior school and when I went on to high school, my bully followed me. Luckily, I met George who had a go at him when he was picking on me one day. It ended up with George lamping him and ever since then we became friends. That’s when I started to look out for myself. He gave me confidence, and I took up weightlifting too.’ He smiled. ‘Will is older as you know. I get on well with him as well.’
‘But I’m Naomi’s best mate. I haven’t met you before.’
‘I don’t come here often, that’s why. But they adore their little sister so it would be more than my life’s worth to see any harm come to you. I just want to show you my car.’ He pointed at the house. ‘And get away from the noise.’
Ruby still wasn’t sure. He was older than her. What if he wanted more than she would offer?
‘Ten minutes, and I’ll have you back,’ he added. ‘We can just go around the block.’
It was his mannerisms that did it. The cock of his head, the mischievous look in his eyes. She felt her stomach flip over as it had done earlier.
‘Go on, then,’ she said.
Ruby couldn’t find Naomi downstairs when they went back inside the house. She was about to go upstairs when Finn took hold of her hand to stop her.
‘We’ll be back before anyone notices we’re gone,’ he said.
His smile made him trust her. Outside, there were five cars in the driveway. Finn pointed to a blue Subaru Impresa.
‘That’s my baby, there. Isn’t she awesome?’
It took Ruby all of her might not to smirk. It was just a car.
‘I know what you’re thinking.’ He wagged a finger at her. ‘But wait until you’ve been for a ride in her. You’ll love Scooby as much as I do.’
‘Scooby?’
‘Scooby-Doo – Subaru.’ He winked as he pressed the key fob. Then he ran around to the passenger side, opening the door for her.
Ruby jumped inside, waiting for him to join her. That new car fresh smell – leather intermingled with some kind of air freshener – engulfed her. It was a nice motor, she had to admit.
He started the engine up, pushing his foot down on the accelerator to rev it up.
‘She purrs,’ he laughed. Then he popped it into first gear and drove off slowly.
Out on the open road, Ruby was surprised he didn’t want to floor it.
‘Are you okay?’ he asked, placing a hand on her thigh for a moment. ‘Having fun?’
She nodded, although relieved when he put it back on the steering wheel.
‘It’s a smooth ride,’ she acknowledged.
‘I could open her up but we don’t have time. A promise is a promise.’
They were back at Naomi’s house before she knew it. Almost disappointed as they drove along the driveway, she was pleased when he parked up the car and stayed in his seat.
‘It’s quieter in here.’ He turned towards her. ‘Do you want to go inside or sit with me for a while longer?’
She could stay here all night, she’d enjoyed his company so much. She wanted to know everything about him, and stare into his eyes as she told him about herself. He was so mature compared to anyone else that she knew. None of the boys from school had a car. Only Naomi’s brothers had wheels and Ruby would never go out with either of them. It would be like kissing a member of her own family.
‘Let’s stay here,’ she said, her voice breaking with nerves.
He smiled. ‘I’ll grab a couple of drinks. Wait here a moment.’
She nodded, already beginning to feel safe with him. She wasn’t stupid and knew what men wanted from her, but there was no ulterior motive here. He was just being friendly.
And parties always brought out the worst in her. If it weren’t for Finn, she would most likely have drunk too much now to fit in socially, be throwing up in the garden, crying and then definitely getting grounded for a month by her dad for misbehaving.
Finn was back in five minutes and they sat talking in his car. They chatted mainly about Naomi and her brothers, some of the times they had shared. It was quarter to eleven when she let out a huge sigh.
‘I have to go soon.’
‘Okay, daddy’s girl.’
She glared at him but he was smiling.
‘I know I wouldn’t want to let you out of my sight if I were him.’
Ruby felt so calm, and suddenly knew he was going to kiss her. He smiled, tilting her chin up. He leaned over and his lips found hers, so gently she thought she’d imagined it. She closed her eyes and opened them when he moved away, to find him staring into hers. Then he kissed her properly.
It seemed to go on for ages, tender at first then more needy. He ran his hands through her hair, caressed her face with his fingertips.
‘Can I see you again?’ he asked when they broke apart, his voice hoarse with desire. ‘I mean after your birthda
y, of course.’
She nodded shyly. She would find a way. And like he said, she was sixteen soon. No one could stop her then.
He stored her number in his phone and they went back into the house. Spotting Naomi with Gareth across the room through a mass of bodies that would take her ages to negotiate, she sent her a message to say she was leaving.
She was waiting on the front step when her dad pulled up to collect her.
‘Had a good night?’ he asked as she fastened her seatbelt.
‘Yes, it was great fun.’
Ruby turned away, glad to be leaving the lights behind so that he wouldn’t see her grinning.
SIX
Since Eddie and Leon Steele had taken over the running of The Casino in Trinity Street last year, it had been refurbished, bringing in a slightly better class of clientele. Shelley Machin had been let in by the doorman. He knew her from old but turned a blind eye to anything that she did because of who she was dating at the moment. He knew that grassing on Seth Forrester’s woman would be a bad thing to do, even to Seth himself.
A slinky black dress accentuated her curves, and purple heels made her look taller than her five foot three. Her long black hair was straightened and shiny, red lips and a full face of make-up giving her an alluring look. Tonight this was her persona. Underneath it all she was mostly a pussycat.
A couple of hours later, she was out again, holding on to a man’s hand as she dragged him out of sight around the side of the building, away from prying eyes. She’d picked him out because he’d obviously been drinking since lunchtime so was easy prey.
There wasn’t a taxi at the rank yet as it was early in the evening, but neither was there a queue of people. It was the perfect place for her to do what she had to do and this way she might not even have to leave with him.
She managed to stay upright as he staggered into her.
‘Sorry,’ he said, grinning.
She pushed him up against the wall, kissing him long and hard as his hands roamed all over her body. She’d give him five minutes before he was too far gone to focus and she could relax a little. Men slobbering over her was the worst thing possible, but she had a job to do. His hand went up the side of her leg and she pushed it away gently.
‘Not yet, fella,’ she chided. ‘You don’t want to spoil the fun for when we get to your house.’
He laughed, then his lips were on hers again as her hand found what she was after.
A minute later, a taxi pulled in. By now the man was really unsteady on his feet and his eyes were closing, the drinks he’d consumed taking their toll. After a struggle towards the vehicle, she pushed him into the back seat. His eyes closed as soon as he sat down.
‘You not getting in?’ the driver asked.
‘Not much point going home with him now, bloody loser.’
‘He’d better not throw up in my cab,’ he moaned.
She threw a note at him.
‘Bye,’ she waved to both of them with a grin.
Shelley had a way with men and she was using it to her advantage. She only slept with someone if absolutely necessary, for instance if she was going back to a hotel room to rob someone of their phone, wallet and laptop. Sometimes it was lucrative; other times not so much. And she didn’t do it often for fear of getting a name for herself.
She knew how to spot the businessmen who were staying in town overnight at the local hotels. Only once had she been caught and taken a beating for it. Most of the time, the men were having one-night stands they didn’t want their wives or partners to know about. So they said nothing, chalked it up to experience and moved on. They cancelled their bank cards, bought new phones and laptops but never realised until it was too late that often she’d given the stuff to someone else. Details were then cloned and sold on.
Out of sight around the corner, she looked inside the wallet she had stolen and grinned. The money he’d won was all there. She pushed it inside her handbag and walked into Hanley to get a taxi from another rank. She didn’t want to get her face recognised too much here. She’d been lucky enough not to get caught fleecing anyone so far. Not too often was her motto, especially as she was on Steele territory. She realised the consequences she’d have to deal with if she was caught, and ran the risk of that enough at home.
Forty minutes later, she arrived at Harrison House. The police that she’d seen earlier were still around, but only the one marked car. She let herself into the flat after talking to a few neighbours.
Shelley had been going out with Seth Forrester for six months now, and spent more time there than she did with her mum and dad. Her home was so crowded that it made more sense. She wasn’t planning on staying with him forever, just until she had paid her debt back to the Steeles. She planned to go to Manchester, maybe even London; anything to get out of Stoke. It hadn’t done her any favours so far.
And although Seth was quite alluring in a bad boy way, she knew of his past. She didn’t want to get on his wrong side, so once she had the information required, she was out of there.
It was probably wrong for her to work for Eddie Steele but she hadn’t had much choice. She’d borrowed money and then couldn’t repay him. She’d spent recklessly, and then he’d come after her. To wipe the slate clean, she’d been told to get friendly with Seth, who also worked for the Steele brothers, and tell them what he got up to. There was money going missing on a regular basis and they thought he was involved in taking it.
Seth was lying on the settee when she went in. He was twenty-three, lanky with short dark hair, pale skin and deep-set blue eyes. He worked hard at the gym to bulk himself up, muscular arms showing off a sleeve tattoo and several smaller works of art spread over his body. He also had a pierced ear that Shelley hated.
He didn’t even glance up when she came into the room. She’d hoped he’d be in a good mood by now. Just lately she’d been worried he was taking too many drugs. Uppers and downers; he was becoming so paranoid with it all. Only last week, he’d slammed her up against the wall as he’d thought she was someone else coming into the kitchen. They were the only two people in the flat at the time.
‘You’re home early,’ she said, looking around at the state he’d left the room in. A folded-up copy of the Stoke News was thrown to the floor, a dirty mug on top of a plate next to it. His boots had been kicked off and left there too.
The room wasn’t much to look at – worn furniture, tired decoration, although with the obligatory large flat screen TV – but Shelley liked to keep it nice. She was forever picking up after him.
‘Earth to Seth,’ she said when he didn’t reply.
‘I’m on again at midnight.’
Once she’d tidied everything away, she leaned over to kiss him. ‘Fancy going out somewhere tomorrow night, then?’
Seth shook his head. ‘Doing a double shift.’
She sighed. Seth worked on the doors at Flynn’s Nightclub in Marsh Street. It was where she’d met him, as she’d planned. After a night out, she had lost her friends and he’d chatted to her outside while she’d waited for a taxi. He’d asked her out and the next evening he’d taken her for a curry and then Shelley had gone home with him. Even though his flat wasn’t much to look at, he had talents in the bedroom that were an added bonus. A few weeks later, they’d been an item. He was hard to be with at times, quite moody and chauvinistic but, for now, she had to put up with his wheeling and dealing and try not to complain too much.
‘Did you hear about little Tyler falling over the side of the railing earlier?’ She flopped down in the armchair.
‘Yeah, the feds have been here for hours.’
‘There’ll be more if he dies. I saw a man there before the accident though.’ She raised her eyebrows at Seth to make it clear that it was anything but.
Earlier that evening, just after Seth had gone out, Shelley had stood on the doorstep having a cigarette. She didn’t like smoking in the flat, even though it was freezing outside. Hearing voices along the walkway, she’d popped her he
ad around the side of the frame to see a man standing at Ruby Brassington’s house. The atmosphere seemed tense.
Shelley had pulled her head back quickly but listened to the conversation. Was this something to do with Seth? She knew Luke had borrowed heavily and was working for him to pay it back. Not that Ruby seemed to know anything about the problem.
Shelley didn’t think it was right for her not to know what was going on. Luke was up to his eyeballs in debt. She wouldn’t be surprised if someone else was coming after him too. It was only a matter of time, and who knew what that would do to their family.
But she’d heard Ruby scream, and then pandemonium as everyone was looking over the railing. She’d purposely gone back inside, not wanting to get drawn into anything, but once the ambulance had arrived, she’d leaned on the railing with everyone else.
‘Is the man anyone we know?’ Seth asked.
‘Didn’t recognise him but he said something interesting. He said that he wants what’s his and he wants it by Monday.’
Seth sat up then. ‘Sounds like Luke owes to someone else. Well, I want my cut first. See what you can find out from Ruby, will you?’
Shelley nodded. Gossiping was her favourite pastime.
SEVEN
Frankie Higgins was beat when he got home. Emotionally and physically drained, he was in need of a night of downtime to rejuvenate and recuperate. The day had gone from normal to tragic. All he could think of was how could that boy have fallen from the walkway.
His wife Lyla was in the kitchen as he came in, the sound of water filling the kettle. She came to the door as he was removing his coat, kissed him.
‘Have you eaten?’ she asked, tucking her blonde bob behind her ears.
Her beautiful face was make-up free. Frankie could see their son in her the more he grew. Ben had his mother’s large brown eyes, some of her mannerisms too. Definitely her optimism.